'Melting Glaciers Threaten Chenab Region'

Mundiksar, Hangu Lakes Classified As High-Risk

- Agencies

The sudden shifts in water volume due to rapid melting of glaciers or lake outbursts can lead to devastating floods in the areas around the river Chenab, reveals a risk assessment of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) Kishtwar.

The risk assessment, the risk of GLOFs in Kishtwar, arises from the combination of natural factors and climatic conditions that influence glacial lakes' behaviour.

The risk assessment states that the components form the basis of the GLOF risk assessment for the region include glacial retreat and lake formation, moraine dam stability, seismic-activity-and landslides and hydrological changes,

“The glaciers in the Kishtwar Himalayas are retreating at an accelerated pace due to rising temperatures, leading to the creation of new glacial lakes. Existing lakes are also expanding, increasing the water volume held behind unstable moraine dams,” it reads.